"In the early 2000s, Escalades with 22-inch rims and celebrity entourages monopolized Atlanta Fish Market’s valet line. And you could barely squeeze through the revolving doors without bumping into a crowd of folks waiting on a table. Sadly, that popularity has faded. But the 90-foot-tall fish sculpture outside of this Buckhead restaurant remains a rightful beacon to all who love a good seafood meal. The multi-leveled dining room still has the gaudy Y2K-era aesthetic—giant light fixtures that look like Saturn, a row of potted palm trees, walls with hanging plastic fish, and an unnecessarily large display case of seafood on ice. But it’s a level of extra that still works to impress picky parents, out-of-towners, and a date who hasn't been back here since prom. photo credit: Cameren Rogers photo credit: Cameren Rogers photo credit: Cameren Rogers Their magnum opus is the crab cake—a decent-sized meaty patty with very little filler. Crowd favorites like huge platters of scallops, shrimp, and salmon offer big enough portions that you'll start foreshadowing leftovers after a few bites. And any of the 16 fresh catches (from Maine skate wing to Carolina flounder) can and should be jazzed up Hong Kong-style. They're generous with the sweet soy glaze, so there's always plenty sauce to mix with your accompanying basmati rice bowl. Even if the experience of eating at this seafood stalwart feels as dated as unironically saying “Hotlanta,” the variety of fish is unmatched and a meal here is always dependably good. Food Rundown Crispy Rhode Island Calamari One of our favorite appetizers, this calamari is lightly fried without too much breading and comes with a creamy garlic aioli—good enough to make even your napkin taste appealing. Ceviche of Pristine Seafood Citrusy avocado chunks, pineapple, and peppers weave sweet and spicy flavors in the raw shrimp and scallop mix. It’s a nice, fresh way to start off a meal here. Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio Shaved razor-thin and garnished with chives and onions, this raw tuna appetizer benefits from a squeeze of lemon juice to give it a little more flavor. photo credit: Cameren Rogers Jumbo Lump Crab Cake These are big, full of crab, and it’s one of their greatest hits. photo credit: Cameren Rogers Jumbo Maine Lobster Roll This is inconsistent (sometimes the lobster is chewy, sometimes perfectly cooked). You can get this cold, smothered with a lemon mayo or warm with melted butter." - Juli Horsford
